Cowardice

It amazes and saddens me to watch the frenzy whipped up over Muslims, mosques, burkas, and all things Islamic in our (Western) world today. The worlds fastest growing religion seems poised to "take over the world," one country at a time. Commentators here in the US and Canada monger fear and hate, pointing to the least significant thing, making it a cause to rally against.

We still call to mind images of 9/11, ten years after the event. Does no one remember this war when the first battles were fought, the bombing of Berlin night club and Rome airport? Does PO2 Steadman, one of the first casualties, not deserve a place of honor in this war? And the bombing of the Marines in Beirut, and answer to our bombing Libya from the sea?

The current world situation has little to do with religion, and everything to do with power. Islamic conservatives also happen to be in power in several countries, and they are, as counties do, trying to extend their influence in trade and governance over their neighbors. We do it, thought force of arms; that is our way. They do it through subversive methods, involving patriots and zealots into a cause they manufacture to be religious; that is their way. The story is the same, written by a different hand, that is all.

Should we be in Iraq? Unreservedly, no. That war was a simple, open grab for another people's lands and ways. We had no idea as to what we were getting into, or what we were going to do once we get their.

Should we be in Afghanistan? Much more complicated. This is when the enemy has it's roots, and in a modern world, borders are vanishing in spite of dieing efforts of some to shore them up. The future is borderless. If culture, trade, and finance becomes truly global, then borders will be meaningless lines on maps, ignored by people and money. But for now, we know where the bad guys are, we just can't root him out.

Realize that in all cases where two antagonists meet in conflict, even if one is wholly victorious over the other, just meeting in the contest changes all parties. Even all the while, as we try the Islamic zealots, the meeting of cultures is changing Islam. If we can get over our moral cowardice, and meet the issues head-on, we will find a people changed from those we first met at Beirut, and Libya, and finally 9/11. Maybe we should try talking a little before we continue the shooting.